A FITNESS fanatic who quit his office job to launch an online personal trainer business has revealed simple tips to get fit and healthy after a year of lockdowns.
Archie Gravenor, of Fronks Road, Dovercourt, is determined to help people boost their physical and mental fitness.
Now he is offering free 20-minute online consultations to anybody interested in shedding pounds and getting in shape as the coronavirus restrictions begin to lift.
The 23-year-old former Colchester Sixth Form College and Anglia Ruskin University student launched AGRAV Fitness last year after resigning from his quantity surveyor job at Tamdown, in Braintree.
He said: “I started looking after myself properly, underwent a serious transformation five or so years ago and have never felt better, both physically and mentally.
“I also found I have a real passion for assisting others to reach their wildest goals and so decided it was time to quit the office job and earn my living helping other people.”
Mr Gravenor admitted some friends and family raised eyebrows when he decided to resign from a well-paid job in the middle of a global pandemic.
However, he said: “I have absolutely no regrets at all.
"Although the various lockdowns have made life more difficult, I feel truly grateful to be able to help others reach their goals, even while they're stuck at home, via the process of online coaching.
“The past year has been a shock to us all in more ways than one.
"Our whole world has flipped upside down and, for many people, it's had a poor effect on physical and mental health.
“Not only have gyms, pools and other leisure facilities shut but we've been told to stay at home wherever possible, leaving most of us more inactive than ever.
“Our shopping is often delivered to us, our desk is three metres away from our bed and we're constantly in striking distance of our favourite treats in the kitchen.”
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Mr Gravenor said while some people have seized the opportunity to get fit, there is still an overwhelming amount of the population who seemed to have lost their fitness and piled on unwanted pounds.
“A lot of people are now feeling they want to rekindle their relationship with their body and health,” he said.
"In terms of exercise, find something you enjoy, make a plan and stick to it.
"It will not only help with your physical health but will also help you stay happy and energised.
"Walking would be one of my top tips.
"It might not be a sexy solution but it’s very effective and means you’re not remaining sedentary all day long.
"Set yourself a step target and use your phone or wearable device to keep tabs on it.
"I'd also encourage people to be NEAT, which stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.
"This is the scientific term for activity you do outside planned exercise and could be walking, cooking, vacuuming or cleaning.
"My other tips would include understanding the basics of weight loss.
"In other words, if you consume less calories than you expend, you’ll shed the pounds.
"And if the pandemic has taught us nothing else, we should all be aware how important our health is and to look after our bodies properly.
"Quite simply, we should make sure we use the right fuel by focusing on nutrition."
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